🐍 Boa Constrictor Found in Sylvania: The Full Story

Wow, what a hectic few days!

It all kicked off when someone posted a video of a red-tailed boa constrictor on the Sutherland Shire Snake Sightings page (which I run). These kinds of posts are usually about diamond pythons or red-bellied blacks—but this one instantly raised alarm bells. A snake like this doesn’t belong in the Shire—or anywhere in the wild in Australia.

I immediately reported it to the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), as required by my licence. Within hours, the video was going viral. Before I knew it, I was getting calls from TV networks asking for interviews and statements.

If you know me, you’ll know I’m not usually one to chase the spotlight—I’m more comfortable behind the scenes, catching snakes and educating locals. So I declined most of the interviews, but the messages and reports kept pouring in.

🕵️ The Search Begins

All day I was receiving calls and messages about possible sightings. Around 11pm, I got one that really caught my attention—someone said they’d spotted the snake in a pond in Sylvania. I rushed out there, only to find a big blue tongue lizard cruising around in the water. False alarm.

The next morning, things ramped up again. The DPI contacted me multiple times, checking for updates and sharing new leads. Then just after lunch, I got a tip-off from a reporter who was covering the story—they’d just seen the snake near the Sylvania boat ramp at Tom Ugly’s Bridge.I dropped everything and headed there immediately. When I arrived, I found the boa with a bloke who seemed surprisingly comfortable holding it. Whether he knew the risks or not, it was clear the animal had been out in the open long enough to grab attention.

I safely secured the snake and handed it over to the DPI officers, who were already on their way. The snake was in relatively good condition, but it wasn’t microchipped and no owner came forward.

Snake Spotted as Sylvania Boat Ramp

Snake was seen at Sylvania Boat Ramp on Sunday 6th April. Where they saw it slither down under the Rocks.

Boa Constrictor in Sylvania Boat Ramp Car Park

Boa Constrictor heading to the rocks at Sylvania Boat Ramp

📰 The Story Blows Up

Within hours, I was speaking with ABC Radio, giving a statement to 10 News First, and fielding messages from journalists all over Sydney. The story was now all over the internet.

🗞 Media Coverage
📍 ABC News – Boa Constrictor Found in Sylvania
📍 News.com.au – Major Development After Boa On the Loose
📺 10 News First – TV Segment

🧠 Why It’s a Big Deal

Boa constrictors are not native to Australia. They originate from South and Central America and are classified as exotic prohibited species in NSW. It's illegal to import, keep, breed, or sell them without strict federal permits—and none of those apply in a backyard setting.

They can grow over 3 metres long and prey on mammals, birds, and reptiles. That means serious risk to our native wildlife, especially in ecosystems like the Sutherland Shire where species like blue tongues, skinks, and birds live in close proximity to people.

Even more worrying is that exotic snakes like boas can carry deadly viruses:
‍
‍• Inclusion Body Disease (IBD) – often fatal to pythons.

• Ophidian paramyxovirus (OPMV) – highly contagious and lethal to native snakes.

❗ What Likely Happened

The snake may have:

‍• Escaped from an illegal collection, or

• Been deliberately released by someone who realised they’d get caught.

Unfortunately, this happens more often than people think. The exotic pet trade is still active underground, and when animals like this are discovered, the consequences can be heartbreaking.

🧪 Clearing Up Some Confusion About Exotic Snakes

A few people have reached out to ask why the boa couldn’t just be rehomed or kept somewhere safe. Here's the truth:

The decision to euthanise an exotic reptile isn’t made by me or any snake catcher. It’s a legal requirement set by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) under biosecurity laws.

As part of my licence conditions, I must report and hand over any exotic reptiles to the proper authorities. If I don’t, I could lose my licence, face heavy fines, or even prosecution.

This situation is hard for those of us who love reptiles—we don’t want to see any animal harmed. But the real blame lies with the illegal breeders and sellers who put these animals in danger by keeping them unlawfully.

Even another experienced reptile handler told the Today Show that euthanasia is the standard outcome in these cases. Every licensed snake catcher in NSW understands the legal and ethical responsibility we carry.

Boa constrictor was found on Thursday and was transported to the DPI

Tyler Gibbons at Shire Snake Wrangler holding the Boa Constrictor

💬 Final Thoughts

While this week has been chaotic, it's also been a reminder of how much this community cares. I want to thank everyone who reached out, shared info, and supported me during this wild time.

If you ever spot something unusual, or you’re unsure about a snake you’ve seen, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always happy to help with snake ID, advice, or removal—and we’re here to educate too.

Let’s keep our community safe and our wildlife protected.Stay safe out there,
— Tyler
Shire Snake Wranglers
🌐 www.shiresnakewranglers.com.au | 📞 0428 458 856